ENPages
[right margin] Tarboro Jan. 6th_62.
If I had known that the mail went out this morning, I would have had my letter ready- but Nep (as usual) didn't know--I thought it would not be sent until to night-
Thank you for your nice letter--I hope you've gotten mine-tho' it sometimes takes so long I shall not be disappointed if I don't hear to day
Such weather it is! Cold and sleety& I , at least, am going out to spend the day- at Mrs. C. Cheshire's-
The children are almost well- Nell complained last night of sore throatI believe now it was more of a joke than any thing else- because she wanted to 'garble' [begin crossed out] her [end crossed out] it, as she said, with salt water- I gratified her at a [?] rate, & rubbed
it with camphor- this morning she is very [begin crossed out] glad [end crossed out] bright & well I hope. the baby looks better tho' is still pale- plum right noisy- Do' nt be vexed if I can't take them to the plantation-last week when the weather was pleasant I wanted Jn Thomas to get better, & now I can't--I will if I can after I get to Cool Spring--Brs' Turner has come at last-he sent down for Dr Baker to see Jacob yesterdayEliza sent over last night to hear what he thought of him-^he's not doing great, but may be a month or two in getting well--he said Brother Turner spoke of bringing him down to stay a week or two, to be near him (Dr, B-)
Do'nt send my keys back-the calico in the valise was for Laura to make her some aprons-
Nep wants to know how many
pigs are at Claremont-& if [begin crossed out] it [end crossed out] there are enough to send after, she wants the colt brought down too--I told her your next wagon had to go to C. Hill, so that she could'nt depend upon that- & see about Isabella's wood--if she needs any Jim can haul it from Mr. Cox's land- she proposes-one or two loads will do-
Nelly wants you to bring her a spelling book-seems delighted at the idea of saying lessons!-
Goodbye- I had better go to Mrs. C.'s before the weather gets worseLove to Cous. Richard-
May God forever bless you & keep is the prayer of your loving wife Pattie B
About Isabella's meat- Nep prefers that you should pay for the five
hams I owe her, in pork-middlings or shoulders- I do not know^her to advise about it-how much difference to allow [?] bacon you think best-
[bottom left of paper, sideways] [column 1] 49 23 [underline] 4/7200 [begin crossed out]+[end crossed out] [underline] 180 72 [underline] 94-
23 50 [underline] 2/1150 [underline] 3
[column 2] 72
59. 26 [underline] 85400 [underline] 34000 80 [underline] 2720 [underline]
[column 3] 15000 18000 4 21 [underline] 6 [underline] 258000
[column 4] 143 [crossed out illegible] 500 3/3200 [underline] 1066 2 [underline] 2132 780 [underline] 1352
[left margin] Roanoke Island Jan 8th/62
Dear Kemp
Your very welcome letter was received tonight. I was glad to receive for several reasons-among which was-one to hear from you & another to know that you had received the $40.00 , that I had sent by Capt. Godwin.
I was glad to hear that your family with the exception of Tommy T.C.- was well. Tommy will improve after a little I reckon. I wish I could see him & the other two, as well as their good mother & Father.
It not only softens me but gives me real pleasure to look occasionally at Nellie's like ness. Nellie is decidedly the pret-
[sideways in left margin] It would have amused you if you could have seen me start off with the men-armed with Capt. Liles' old army pistol. I made the men laugh by trying to borrow of them a bayonet for my pistol